Latest news with #MariaClete
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tech firm fined Rs 1 lakh for levelling allegations against TN govt official
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on Cognizant Technology Solutions Private Limited for levelling unsubstantiated 'serious allegations' against a top labour department official, a quasi-judicial officer, in connection with an order passed to set aside the termination of an employee of the firm. Justice AD Maria Clete passed the orders while dismissing the petitions filed by the subsidiary of the US-based tech firm challenging the order of the special joint commissioner of labour (JCL), who is the appellate authority. The JCL, by an order dated October 18, 2019, set aside the order of the firm issued on December 21, 2015 to terminate Sivakumar Krishnamurthy, an associate director of the company, from the service on the grounds of under-performance and causing loss to the firm. The JCL also ordered his reinstatement with back wages on an appeal filed by him under the TN Shops and Establishments Act, 1947. The matter was entangled in several litigations as Krishnamurthy filed petitions in the high court seeking to expedite the hearing and disposal, and later, for transferring the matter from the JCL concerned. After the JCL passed the orders, the tech firm moved the high court with petitions challenging the orders and levelled certain allegations and even questioned the official's integrity stating she had favoured the same person who sought transfer of the case. Justice Maria Clete remarked, 'If the allegations made by the petitioner (Cognizant) against the statutory appellate authority are to be taken at face value, it would render it virtually impossible for any authority to discharge its quasi-judicial functions.'
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Anti-labour acts: Tasmac told to pay 1 lakh by HC
Chennai: In a ruling, highlighting Tasmac 's rampant anti-labour practices , Madras high court likened it to Shylock for insisting on rigid positions in disregard of broader legal and equitable obligations. Justice Maria Clete, passing orders on disputes arising out of the Tasmac's disciplinary and penal action against its work force in utter disregard for laws, also imposed 1 lakh cost on Tasmac, saying: "Considering the seriousness of the issues the persistent and unrepentant attitude displayed by Tasmac and the unwarranted volume of litigation they have generated before this court, despite being a wholly-owned govt company expected to act as a model employer, and their audacious stand that no labour law applies to them despite clear judicial pronouncements to the contrary, this court deems it appropriate to impose a cost of 1 lakh on Tasmac." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The sum shall be paid to Tasmac Oozhiyar Manila Sammelanam (CITU), the judge said. Tasmac operates approximately 4,829 retail liquor outlets across Tamil Nadu as of March 31, 2024, employing around 23,986 persons in various categories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Justice Maria Clete asked: "What is the legal status and service condition of nearly 24,000 employees engaged by this State-run enterprise? Has any comprehensive framework under labour legislation been applied to regulate their employment over the past four decades? Notably, apart from the regular employees, the workers engaged in loading and unloading operations at Tasmac godowns have, without exception, been employed through outsourcing arrangements. As for the managerial cadre overseeing Tasmac's administrative functions, personnel have predominantly been drawn from the revenue, excise, and police departments — an arrangement evidently designed to maintain stringent governmental oversight over the liquor trade." Despite clear judicial pronouncements, Tasmac has disregarded binding directions, and almost every termination of its employees challenged before this court has been set aside for failure to follow due procedure and for violations of the provisions of the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act. These judgments have attained finality, said Justice Maria Clete. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 applies to Tasmac, is legally sound and correct, she said, adding, "it is far too late for the Respondent Tasmac to now contend that the provisions of the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 do not apply to them. Such a stand has been taken deliberately, and without any legal foundation, with the intention of defeating the claims of the petitioner-union."
